ENDANGERED SPECIES

Green Sea Turtle

The green sea turtle inhabits tropical and subtropical
seas around the world. Adults are found in lagoons,
where they feed mainly on sea grass. They reproduce
after migrating long distances between feeding
grounds, and females lay 2 to 5 clutches with about
80 to 120 eggs per clutch. At night, the females
emerge from the ocean to dig nests on the beach and
deposit their eggs. After an incubation period of
about 60 days, the hatchlings make their way back to
the sea.

“A green sea turtle, honu as it is called in Hawaii,
passes behind a breaking wave. These endangered turtles
come into the shallow reef areas at high tide to
feed and are very skilled at positioning themselves to
avoid the crashing waves.” —CL